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Last update - 12:31 14/08/2008
Venezuela's Chavez meets world Jewish leaders, vows to fight anti-Semitism
By The Associated Press
Tags: Jewish World, Hugo Chavez 

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez met with Jewish leaders on Wednesday, pledging to work together against anti-Semitism and open up channels of communication despite differences on Middle East politics.

Both Chavez and leaders of the World Jewish Congress called the meeting a
success.
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"There may be some differences of opinion on some issues - on major issues such as Iran and also the Middle East," Michael Schneider, the organization's secretary-general, said after the meeting. "But when it comes to anti-Semitism, I think we're on the same page."

"We mentioned our concerns about anti-Semitism and asked him what his position was," Schneider said. "And he said he was certainly not an anti-Semite."

The socialist president said afterward that it was a very important meeting, but did not elaborate.

Schneider said Chavez offered to meet with Brazilian President Luiz Ignacio Lula da Silva and Argentine President Cristina Fernandez to jointly condemn all forms of anti-Semitism, discrimination against minorities and anti-Muslim sentiment.

Chavez has repeatedly vilified Israel while expressing sympathy for the
Palestinians. During the 2006 Israeli bombing of Lebanon, Chavez withdrew his top envoy from Israel and threatened to cut off diplomatic relations, calling the attacks a new Holocaust.

But his government has insisted the criticisms of Israel aren't meant to
demonize Jewish people, saying relations with Venezuela's Jewish community are open and friendly.

Chavez also has built close relations with Iran as tensions have grown between Tehran and Israel.

But following Wednesday's meeting, the global Jewish community is more at
peace with President Chavez, said Jack Terpins, president of the Latin
American Jewish Congress.

Schneider said delegates asked Chavez to install a full-status ambassador in Israel to replace the current lower-level envoy - a request he said Chavez is taking under serious consideration.

Chavez also said he would open channels of communication with the Jewish
community in Venezuela and abroad, and help facilitate dialogue between
Christians, Jews and Muslims, Schneider said.

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      1.   ISRAEL was forced to cancel defense contracts with Venezuela. 05:08  |  PETER SM 14/08/08
      2.   We have heard this before 08:49  |  Slibovitz 14/08/08
      3.   Socialism`s Fond Kindness Towards The Jews 12:58  |  Ruth 14/08/08
      4.   `JEWISH` DELEGATION OR THE PUPPETS OF ISRAEL?? 13:43  |  JACKAL 14/08/08
      5.   Jackal: Anonymous Jackass 16:28  |  Tex 14/08/08
      6.   Tehran 17:05  |  Rob 14/08/08
      7.   Chavez`s Ignorance 17:27  |  Argentinian 14/08/08
      8.   LET ME SEE NOW;ISN`T HE THE DICTATOR/CHAVEZ WHO SHOOK THE HAND OF 17:44  |  glenna 14/08/08
      9.   #1 Peter SM 18:16  |  ballistic 14/08/08
      10.   Chavez was and is democratically elected 18:34  |  FACT 14/08/08
      11.   Ruth and Nicaragua 19:28  |  Janice 14/08/08
      12.   Jewish leaders and Chavez 19:30  |  Roberto 14/08/08
      13.   ballistic 20:43  |  Queen of Sheba 14/08/08
      14.   get your FACTS straight 21:37  |  Jeroen de Jager 14/08/08
      15.   sniveling jwolrd jewish congress--also message to #1 22:47  |  bob 14/08/08
      16.   JACKAL WHO SAID ANYTHING ABOUT DIPLOMATIC TIES? 23:22  |  PETER SM 14/08/08
      17.   Trust? 23:47  |  don muntean 14/08/08
      18.   viva chavez 01:05  |  Daniel 15/08/08
      19.   Queen of Sheeba, see response #17 02:02  |  ballistic 15/08/08
      20.   Janice, you miss the point.# 11 01:37  |  Fortuna Benmayor 19/08/08
      21.   HAHAHAHA Do not make me laugh so hard!!! 04:11  |  Jose 19/08/08
      22.   anti-Semite vows to fight anti-Semite? 14:46  |  Semite 19/08/08
      23.   Chavez and Antisemitism 01:00  |  linda 20/08/08
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